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Saint Marks

Saint Marks

$785,012 Average Value
$484 Average Price per Sq Ft
11 Homes For Sale

Top draws for the Saint Mark’s neighborhood of Dorchester

Saint Mark’s is centered on a stretch of Dorchester Avenue about 5 miles south of Downtown Boston. Residential development began when the railroad came to the area in the 1870s, shaping it into a classic suburb with pockets of tree-lined streets. Today, the neighborhood connects the commercial hub of Peabody Square with the landmark campus of Saint Mark’s Roman Catholic Church. Homebuyers can choose from a blend of housing styles, often at prices below the citywide median. A walkable layout and transit access support car-free living, and Dorchester Avenue provides plenty of dining and grocery options.

Victorian-era homes line the streets of Saint Mark's.
Victorian-era homes line the streets of Saint Mark's.
Saint Mark's is about 5 miles south of Downtown Boston.
Saint Mark's is about 5 miles south of Downtown Boston.
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Housing styles and prices in Saint Mark’s

Housing in Saint Mark’s includes a mix of condos, multifamily properties and some single-family homes. Many buildings date to the early 1900s. Triple-deckers and Victorians are common, and many have hardwood floors, high ceilings and private decks on each level. Newer condo construction has also made its way into the area, with townhouse-style and midrise units offering contemporary finishes and open layouts. Home sale prices range from the lower $300,000s to the lower $1 millions, with a median sale price of around $630,000. This is significantly below the citywide median, which can appeal to first-time buyers. Since most residents are renters, the neighborhood is investor-friendly, too.

Triple-decker homes are a common sight in this neighborhood.
Triple-decker homes are a common sight in this neighborhood.
Some homes in Saint Mark's are painted in vibrant hues.
Some homes in Saint Mark's are painted in vibrant hues.
Lush vegetation surrounds this triple-decker home in Saint Mark's.
Lush vegetation surrounds this triple-decker home in Saint Mark's.
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From Shawmut station in Saint Mark's, you can hop on the Red Line to Downtown Boston.
From Shawmut station in Saint Mark's, you can hop on the Red Line to Downtown Boston.

Easy commuting via the Red Line, buses and nearby I-93

Some homes and condos feature off-street parking, but it’s easy to get around without a car here. Sidewalks make the neighborhood walkable, and the Shawmut and nearby Ashmont stations on the MBTA Red Line connect riders to Downtown Boston, with trips usually taking about 15 to 20 minutes. “The Red Line is the most desirable train line to be on in the city,” says Dorchester native Alex Walsh, a Realtor with Access Real Estate. Multiple MBTA bus routes serve the area as well. If you do drive, Interstate 93 is nearby, providing access to the greater Boston region.

Via Cannuccia specializes in fresh ingredients and handmade pastas.
Via Cannuccia specializes in fresh ingredients and handmade pastas.

Restaurants and markets line Dorchester Avenue

Dorchester Avenue is the neighborhood’s main commercial corridor. You can grab a bite to eat at these spots:

  • El Barrio Mexican Grill, the place to go for tacos and other south-of-the-border specialties
  • Via Cannuccia, an Italian restaurant serving handmade pastas and pizzas
  • Charlie’s House of Pizza, a counter-service joint dishing up slices, whole pies and wings
There are several specialty markets along Dorchester, too, including Maria Market, which specializes in Spanish and American foods, and Phú Thinh Market, where you can buy ingredients for Asian dishes. In the adjoining Fields Corner West neighborhood, Price Rite Marketplace allows for bigger grocery hauls. Nearby pubs Twelve Bens and Harp + Bard offer a dose of nightlife.

Public and private school options around Saint Mark's

Saint Mark’s is part of Boston Public Schools, which uses a home-based assignment policy rather than traditional zoning for students in prekindergarten through eighth grade. Families receive a customized list of school choices based on their address, and students are assigned based on a lottery-style algorithm. Dr. William W. Henderson Inclusion School is one nearby option that serves students from pre-K through Grade 12. The inclusion model allows students with and without disabilities to learn side by side. At the highly rated private Cristo Ray Boston High, students can get a taste of professional life through the Corporate Work Study Program.

Henderson Inclusion School offers a diverse academic curriculum.
Henderson Inclusion School offers a diverse academic curriculum.
Dr. William Henderson Inclusion School serves students from prekindergarten through Grade 12.
Dr. William Henderson Inclusion School serves students from prekindergarten through Grade 12.
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Dr. Loesch Family Park is a fantastic place to walk your furry friends.
Dr. Loesch Family Park is a fantastic place to walk your furry friends.

Family-friendly parks with sports facilities and playgrounds

Dr. Loesch Family Park is a neighborhood gathering spot that’s within walking distance of many homes. The park’s features include:

  • A multipurpose sports field
  • Basketball courts
  • Walking paths
  • A splash pad
Down the road, Adams/King Playground has an outdoor street hockey rink and play equipment for the younger crowd. Hemenway Playground features a set of long slides that draws kids of all ages.

Community meetings are held at the neighborhood's namesake church.
Community meetings are held at the neighborhood's namesake church.

Local church hosts meetings and seasonal events

Many Saint Mark's residents take active roles in the community. “There’s some great architecture and some great history, but one aspect that attracts homebuyers is the people,” Walsh says. Members of the St. Mark’s Area Civic Association (SMACA) hold monthly meetings in the neighborhood’s namesake Catholic church to discuss local development and public safety. The church also hosts seasonal events like Hallowfest, where celebrants enjoy music, outdoor games, refreshments and pumpkin decorating.

Comparing Saint Mark’s to other Boston and Dorchester neighborhoods

Saint Mark’s has a quieter residential vibe than downtown neighborhoods like South Boston, where home prices are typically higher. The trade-off? Those areas offer a more vibrant dining and nightlife scene than you’ll find here. If you want to broaden your search to other Dorchester neighborhoods, Ashmont has a slightly higher median sale price, with historic homes and a similar village-style vibe centered on a commercial hub around Peabody Square. In Lower Mills, prices are even higher, and some condos sit right on the Neponset River.

Adrienne Ryan
Written By
Adrienne Ryan
Al Straggas
Photography Contributed By
Al Straggas
Alex Jacobsen
Video By
Alex Jacobsen

Agents Specializing in this Area

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Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

General Edward Lawrence Logan International

17 min drive

Subway

Shawmut Station

Bus

Dorchester Ave & Centre St

Bus

Talbot Ave & Lithgow St

Bus

Talbot Ave & Centre St

Bus

Dorchester Ave Opp Shepton St

Bus

Adams St & King St

Bus

Talbot Ave & Welles Ave

Bus

Adams St Opp Msgr. Lydon Way

Reviews

Are you familiar with the Saint Marks neighborhood? to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Saint Marks US
Homicide 5 4
Sexual Assault 5 4
Assault with Weapon 5 4
Robbery 5 4
Burglary 3 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 3 4
Larceny 2 4
Crime Score 3 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes
1,412
Number of Homes for Sale
11
Median Year Built
1906
Months of Supply
2.90
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,004
On par with the national average
1,933
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
3,125
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
970
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
747
Average Studio Size Sq Ft
903
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
3,920

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Rental Home Trends

Number of Homes for Rent
48
Median Rent
$3,000
Median Single Family Home Rent
$3,300
Median 3 Bedroom Single Family Home Rent
$3,400
Median Townhouse Rent
$2,325
Median Condo Rent
$2,925
Median 2 Bedroom Condo Rent
$2,700

Demographics

Total Population
8,765
Median Age
39
Population Density
36 ppl/acre
Population under 18
22.8%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
15.4%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$75,615
Below the national average
$79,597
Average Household Income
$96,395

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
82.2%
Below the national average
89%
College Graduates
39.6%
Advanced Degrees
17.8%
% Population in Labor Force
72.8%
Above the national average
64.9%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
43''
Average Winter Low Temperature
23°F
Average Summer High Temperature
82°F
Annual Snowfall
12''

Area Factors

Moderately bikeable

Bikeability®

60 / 100

Exceptionally walkable

Walkability®

100 / 100

Good public transit

Transit®

60 / 100
Source: Local Logic
Sources: Local Logic

Local Logic measures the walkability, access to public transit and bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.

Nearby Neighborhoods

Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Saint Marks